Alan Thicke, TV Icon, Dead At 69

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 12: Actor Alan Thicke visits the SiriusXM Studios on September 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

TV icon Alan Thicke, who endeared himself to audiences through his role as the father on the ABC sitcom “Growing Pains,” died on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack while playing hockey with his son.

He was 69.

Thicke’s son Robin told the Los Angeles Times that his father had a heart attack while playing with another son, Carter. TMZ, which first reported the news, said that Thicke was pronounced dead at Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Burbank, California.

Thicke’s agent Tracy Mapes confirmed his death to The Huffington Post.

“He was charming, witty, talented, an icon,” Mapes said in a statement. “I was so blessed to have him in my life. Today is a very sad day.”

In addition to his most well-known role as dad Jason Seaver on the 1980s hit “Growing Pains,” Thicke hosted game and talk shows, and wrote theme songs for shows including “Diff’rent Strokes” and “Wheel of Fortune.”

Thicke received three Emmy nominations for his writing on Barry Manilow’s talk show in the 1970s, and another for his work on “America 2-Night,” The Associated Press reported.

The actor, who was born in Ontario, Canada, started his career with a daytime talk show in Canada, and later hosted a late-night show called “Thicke of the Night” for an American audience, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“Growing Pains” aired for seven seasons on ABC, reaching as high as the No. 5 show in the ratings, THR reported.

Alberto E. Rodriguez via Getty Images
Actor Alan Thicke, seen here in August, was best known for his role as dad Jason Seaver on the 1980s hit “Growing Pains."

A tweet was sent from Thicke’s account earlier Tuesday, promoting the second season of the Netflix series “Fuller House,” in which he was guest starring.

“Alan was a mentor. He really guided me as far as things I did away from hockey, whether it was hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’ or being a special guest on Canadian TV shows,” Gretzky told Grantland in 2014.

The NHL sent its condolences to Thicke’s loved ones on Tuesday night:

The NHL family is sad to learn of the passing of longtime hockey fan Alan Thicke. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/5ADyWRksuf